Haitian History and Culture (Senior High School)

1. 
   Answer all questions on your own paper. Some questions have multiple parts.
   
2. 
   Divide your report into sections (The Land and Climate, History, etc.)
   
3. 
   Create a cover for your report that includes a drawing or photograph that you feel represents Haitian heritage and culture.
   

1. 
   Draw or locate a blank map of Haiti and complete the following:
   

• 
  Label the capital and 5 other major cities.
  
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  Label the bodies of water that border Haiti.
  
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  Draw and label Haiti’s major rivers and landforms, such as mountains.
  
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  Name Haiti’s administrative departments.
  

2. 
   Describe the climate in Haiti.
   

3. 
   Identify and describe the natural disasters that been experienced in Haiti since 2008. What losses of life and other damages occurred as result of these disasters? What is being done to help Haiti recover?
   

4. 
   Locate at least five (5) pictures or photographs that illustrate Haiti’s land and climate. Label and include these in your report.
   

5. 
   What was Haiti originally named? What does “Haiti” mean?
   

6. 
   What country first explored and settled Haiti? What was the purpose of the early exploration?
   

7. 
   What native people were living in Haiti at the time of early exploration? How were they treated by the early explorers? Are these people still living in Haiti?
   

8. 
   Describe the Haitian Revolution in 2-3 paragraphs.
   

9. 
   Haiti has experienced political unrest, invasions, and dictatorships throughout much of its history. Create a timeline that includes at least six (6) events from Haiti’s history that illustrate the political troubles experienced by Haiti.
   

10. 
    What do the colors and symbols represent on the Haitian flag?
    

11. 
    What is the current population of Haiti? Is the population increasing or decreasing in size? Why is Haiti’s population young?
    

12. 
    What languages are spoken in Haiti?
    

13. 
    Research the cultural customs and traditions of Haiti and answer the following:
    

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  What religions are practiced in Haiti?
  
• 
  What foods are enjoyed in Haiti?
  
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  What holidays and ceremonies are celebrated in Haiti?
  
• 
  What kind of dances and music are enjoyed in Haiti?
  

14. 
    Locate at least five (5) pictures or photographs that illustrate daily life in Haiti. Label and include these in your report.
    

15. 
    What type of government does Haiti have?
    

16. 
    Who is the president of Haiti? Explain the problems related to the recent elections in Haiti.
    

17. 
    What is Haiti’s relationship with the United States?
    

18. 
    What is the economy of Haiti based on? (examples: industry, manufacturing, farming)
    

19. 
    What economic problems is Haiti facing today? What economic assistance is Haiti receiving from other nations or international organizations?
    

20. 
    What major problems does Haiti face today in each of the following areas? What is being done to address these problems?
    

• 
  Political issues
  
• 
  Social issues
  
• 
  Health issues
  
• 
  Education
  
• 
  Other areas
  

1. 
   The students will research and compile information on the political, social, and economic issues and problems facing Haiti.
   

2. 
   The students will conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation. (FS)
   

3. 
   The students will determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions. (FS)
   

4. 
   The students will use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products in response to ongoing feedback, including new arguments or information. (FS)
   

5. 
   The students will determine the central ideas or conclusions of a text; summarize complex concepts, processes, or information presented in a text by paraphrasing them in simpler but still accurate terms. (FS)
   

1. 
   Introduce the lesson by having students review the handout entitled, “Haiti’s Challenges” (provided). Ask students to make a list of issues or problems Haiti currently faces as they review the handout.
   

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  Political Issues:
  
• 
  Social Issues:
  
• 
  Economic Issues:
  
• 
  Health Issues:
  
• 
  Environmental Issues:
  
• 
  Education Issues:
  
• 
  Other Issues:
  

2. 
   Explain that students will be researching these issues/problems in small groups (3-5 students) and presenting their findings on the issues/problems and possible solutions to the class.
   

1. 
   Teachers may choose to have the research reports compiled by individual students or by having students work in pairs.
   
2. 
   Teachers may opt to require the reports be presented as a technology presentation (e.g., Power Point), if technology is available.
   

3. 
   Divide the class into small groups and assign them to one of the following 4 issues:
   

• 
  Education Issues
  
• 
  Health Issues
  
• 
  Economic Issues
  
• 
  Political Issues
  

4. 
   Distribute and review the guiding questions. Explain that each group is responsible for answering the guiding questions and compiling them into a group report.
   

5. 
   To begin the research, have each group read the appropriate sections of the United Nations Report entitled, “Haiti Moving Forward Step By Step, 2012” (provided with this lesson and also found online at http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/minustah/documents/UN-factsheets-2012-en.pdf)
   

6. 
   Provide additional time for online research for each group. Sources for research are provided in the Internet Resource section of this instructional resource guide.
   

7. 
   Let each group report on the findings of their research.
   

8. 
   OPTIONAL: After studying the problems being faced in Haiti today, students may wish to become involved in one or more action projects. A suggested list of action projects is provided with this lesson.
   

• 
  Haiti has experienced political problems and violence throughout much of its history.
  

• 
  A United Nations peacekeeping mission has been in operation in Haiti since 2004.The mission promotes political stability, public safety and order in Haiti, and assists with disaster relief since the hurricanes of 2008 and the earthquake of 2010.
  

• 
  Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere and one of the poorest countries in the world. Haiti ranks 161 out of 187 on the United Nations Human Development Index.
  

• 
  Approximately 2,500,000 Haitians live in extreme poverty, with 78% of all Haitians living on less than two U.S. dollars a day.
  

• 
  About 50% of Haitians living in cities are unemployed.
  

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  Haiti is the third hungriest country in the world after Somalia and Afghanistan.
  

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  Haiti has a healthy life expectancy of 55 years for women and 53 years for men.
  

• 
  Adult literacy in Haiti is about 45%.
  

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  Although agriculture is an important part of Haiti’s economy, the country fails to produce enough food. Haiti imports more than 50% of its food for its population. Haiti imports 80% of its main staple: rice.
  

• 
  90% of Haitian farmers depend on rain for their harvest as only 10% of the crops are irrigated.
  

• 
  100,000 Haitian children under the age of five suffer from severe malnutrition.
  

• 
  One out of five Haitian children will die before the age of five.
  

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  Less than 50% of Haitian households have access to safe water and only 25% benefit from adequate sanitation.
  
• 
  Haiti lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and has had many severe storms, with four storms striking Haiti in 2008 causing tremendous destruction and loss of life.
  

• 
  On January 12, 2010, Haiti was struck by a 7.0 earthquake, the country’s most severe earthquake in over 200 years. Between 200,000-300,000 Haitians lost their lives as result of the earthquake. Over 85,000 Haitians still live in camps following the earthquake.
  

• 
  In 2010, a major chlorea outbreak occurred in Haiti that is still active today. Over 9,000 Haitians have died from the disease.
  

• 
  In 2014, it was estimated that approximately 430,000 orphaned children live in Haiti.
  

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  In 2014, it was estimated that approximately 150,000 people are infected with HIV/AIDS in Haiti.
  

Sources: The statistics were compiled from the sources listed below. Statistics may vary slightly depending on the source.

1. 
   CIA World Factbook, https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ha.html
   
2. 
   Children of the Nations, https://cotni.org/where-we-serve/haiti/country-facts-and-statistics (Registration required.)
   
3. 
   CNN, http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/12/world/haiti-earthquake-fast-facts/
   
4. 
   Global Issues.org, http://www.globalissues.org/article/141/haiti
   
5. 
   Mission of Hope, http://www.mohhaiti.org/about_haiti#.VRqVKY7F9UM
   
6. 
   Sionfonds for Haiti, http://www.sionfondsforhaiti.org/facts-about-haiti/
   
7. 
   World Food Programme, https://www.wfp.org/stories/10-facts-about-hunger-haiti-2015
   

1. 
   Working as a group, develop a 2-3 page report on the education issues/problems being faced in Haiti today. Be sure to answer each of the five guiding questions within the report. (Some questions have multiple parts.)
   

2. 
   Include at least five photos, graphs/charts or other illustrations related to your research on educational issues in Haiti.
   

3. 
   List at least 5 references used by the group to write your report.
   

1. 
   What education issues exist in Haiti today? What are the causes of these issues?
   

2. 
   What is being done to solve the education issues in Haiti?
   

3. 
   What challenges exist to solving the education issues in Haiti?
   

4. 
   What groups are involved in solving these issues? (Examples: Haitian government, foreign governments, international organizations, not-for-profit organizations) What support is being provided by these groups?
   

5. 
   What recommendations does your group suggest to address the education issues in Haiti?
   

1. 
   Working as a group, develop a 2-3 page report on the health issues/problems being faced in Haiti today. Be sure to answer each of the five guiding questions within the report. (Some questions have multiple parts.)
   

2. 
   Include at least five photos, graphs/charts or other illustrations related to your research on health issues in Haiti.
   

3. 
   List at least 5 references used by the group to write your report.
   

1. 
   What health issues exist in Haiti today? What are the causes of these issues?
   

2. 
   What is being done to solve the health issues in Haiti?
   

3. 
   What challenges exist to solving the health issues in Haiti?
   

4. 
   What groups are involved in solving these issues? (Examples: Haitian government, foreign governments, international organizations, not-for-profit organizations) What support is being provided by these groups?
   

5. 
   What recommendations does your group suggest to address the health issues in Haiti?
   

1. 
   Working as a group, develop a 2-3 page report on the economic issues/problems being faced in Haiti today. Be sure to answer each of the five guiding questions within the report. (Some questions have multiple parts.)
   

2. 
   Include at least five photos, graphs/charts or other illustrations related to your research on economic issues in Haiti.
   

3. 
   List at least 5 references used by the group to write your report.
   

1. 
   What economic issues exist in Haiti today? What are the causes of these issues?
   

2. 
   What is being done to solve the economic issues in Haiti?
   

3. 
   What challenges exist to solving the economic issues in Haiti?
   

4. 
   What groups are involved in solving these issues? (Examples: Haitian government, foreign governments, international organizations, not-for-profit organizations) What support is being provided by these groups?
   

5. 
   What recommendations does your group suggest to address the economic issues in Haiti?
   

1. 
   Working as a group, develop a 2-3 page report on the political issues/problems in Haiti, both past and present. Be sure to answer each of the five guiding questions within the report. (Some questions have multiple parts.)
   

2. 
   Include at least five photos, graphs/charts or other illustrations related to your research on political issues in Haiti.
   

3. 
   List at least 5 references used by the group to write your report.
   

1. 
   Summarize the political problems experienced in Haiti from the 1800s until today.
   

2. 
   What are the most important political problems in Haiti today? What are the causes of these issues?
   

3. 
   What is being done to solve the political issues in Haiti? What challenges exist to solving these issues?
   

4. 
   What groups are involved in solving these issues? (Examples: Haitian government, foreign governments, international organizations, not-for-profit organizations) What support is being provided by these groups?
   

5. 
   What recommendations does your group suggest to address the political issues in Haiti?
   

1. 
   Write a letter to your members of Congress and urge them to support measures to address any political, economic, educational, or health issues you feel need increased support. (Locate the name and address of members of Congress at https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members.)
   

2. 
   Write a letter to the Haitian Ambassador to the United States to find out about the current status of any issue or problem you feel needs increased attention.
   

2311 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20521-3400

E-mail: amb.washington@diplomatie.ht

3. 
   Develop a petition about an issue of importance in Haiti, collect signatures, and send them to the following U.S. government offices or agencies calling for programs to address the issue you have identified.
   

• 
  The Embassy of the United States in Haiti
  

P.O. Box 1634

• 
  U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
  

Usaid.gov

4. 
   Organize a community campaign to raise funds to support Haitian disaster relief (hurricanes, 2010 earthquake). Information on relief efforts can be found on-line by searching “Haitian disaster relief.”
   

5. 
   Research the efforts to support Haiti being conducted by:
   

• 
  The United Nations, http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/minustah/
  
• 
  UNESCO, http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/worldwide/latin-america-and-the-caribbean/haiti/
  
• 
  UNICEF, http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/haiti.html
  
• 
  World Bank, http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/haiti
  
• 
  USAID, http://www.usaid.gov/haiti
  

An overview of Haiti, including information on the country’s politics, economy, leaders,

and historical timeline. It also includes images of Haiti and a recording of the national

anthem of Haiti.

Provides a profile of Haiti, including geography, people, government, transportation,

communications, etc.